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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Dhokra also known as the Dokra art form is very ancient indian art form dated back to 4000-5000 yrs. The art form originated from the Bastar in Chhattisgarh(India).Name Dhokra is derived from the tribes(Dokra) who are metal workers of tribal community in Bastar. The tribe extends from Jharkhand to West Bengal and Orissa.

Process of making Dokra art piece is even more interesting. Dhokra metal crafts follow the traditional method of lost or vanishing wax technique. First the clay core is designed and then is layered by wax, resin and nut oil. Wax is then carved and every fine detail is given again this is covered by clay it works as a mould for metal art piece. Clay is then cooked and wax comes out from the drain ducts. Molten metal (that is mainly brass and bronze scraps) is poured inside the mould. After the metal has taken shape and as cooled down, outer clay layer is chipped off. Metal art piece is then polished and finished. Thus this method has a big disadvantage that mould can be used only once and hence two art pieces will not be exactly the same.....interesting isn't it!!Inspiration is from environment, trees, birds, animals and rituals also.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Terracotta pots and figurines look so lovely. And one such lovely piece I was gifted when I visited Chokhi Dhani (Rajasthani village themed restaurant and fun fair). Though I loved it in its plain form also but then too I wanted to fill colors.

This is how it looked when I received it..........

I colored it in pure Rajasthani style using colors like yellow, red and orange. And it turned out so well.

Tadaaa..........

I found it little difficult to paint bandhni print on turban...but finally I did it.

Some fine details.........

And painting this pot was so fun. this tiny pot is looking so cute.......isn't it.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Last weekend I had wonderful time with my family. While I tickled taste-buds of my family with Rajasthani delicacies the very next day I was taken out to a place where we had oodles of fun. I found that place very special it was full of Lotus flowers and buds (many other fun things too).

Though we were little late and it was almost night when I clicked all the pictures (and my camera was not in good mood also :-( )

I wasn't able to take my eyes off that lovely site of beautiful flowers in different colors.....I kept on clicking........

This was such an amazing outing packed with fun and peace both at the same time.......... :-)))

Saturday, May 5, 2012

This summer what you all are doing to bring in cheer to your place. I simply love bringing in greens and blooms. Flowers always create such lovely ambiance and add splash of color too.

My Petunia is doing very well and I was completely surprised when I saw flowers in two shades(violet with white stripes) b'coz when I bought this plant it was so tiny and flower was in one shade only(Purple).

Yay!!! Its weekend again and this one will be very special for me. Hubby and baby both have planned something special. Of-course because it's Mother's Day this Sunday. My three year old is big enough to plan something special for his mother.

Hope your weekend will also be a very special and fun filled one.
Have a great weekend ahead and stay creative friends!!!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Entryway/Foyer and main door are the first thing anybody will going to see while entering your house. The visual beauty of the main door is of supreme importance in Vastu. Decorating and painting the door with bright colors can inspire positive emotions upon entering the home. Main door in east or north-east is considered to be auspicious as it brings sunlight (Flow of energy/prana) into your home. There should be no door exactly opposite the main door. There should be no obstruction in front of the main door. The shutters of the door should always open up inside of the house. Main entrance door should be the largest door of the house.

Vastu recommends clean, free of extraneous material and uncluttered entryway. Keep entrance of your house always welcoming, well maintained and decorated to welcome divine. Keeping pot of healthy plants either side of the main door is a good practice. You can keep potpourri, good pictures, fresh flowers, candles/lamps, plants and urns in your foyer to welcome your guest and to bring in lot of positiveness. So entrance of your house is like mouth, keep it clean, brushed and flossed in the same manner.

P.S : In case you have missed earlier posts of 'Vastu Gyan' series click here to read.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Starting today a very new and interesting series of different art forms of India. I have always been fascinated by various art forms. I chose to start with Madhya Pradesh's art form because this state is known as 'Heart of India' and the fact that I hail from this very state and I truly love everything about MP. Today I am showcasing Gond Art of MP.

Gond Tribal Painting is done by Gondi people who live in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh & Orissa. However, the majority of the artists who paint in this style come from a village called Patangarh in Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh. Patangarh is a place where a seventeen years old boy Jangarh Singh Shyam used to decorate his hut's wall using dots, lines and bold colours. Late painter J.Swaminathan introduced this young artist to the world.

Gond paintings are usually done on mud walls. Artist uses colors derived from charcoal, soil, plant sap, leaves and even cow dung.......interesting isn't it and this painting can last up to 15-20 years. The theme of Gond painting depicts day-to-day life. Gond tribal paintings are not just mere decorations, but also the expressions of their religious sentiments, devotions and their perception of life.

I found this form of art very very interesting and going to give it a try soon.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

This was an amazing view from my terrace. Yesterday evening's sunset was mesmerizing. I couldn't resist and clicked picture every second. I just wanted to capture the every moment when Sun was trying to hide itself behind the hill.